Diversify possible for Suburban Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Following his nose victory over Pat On the Back in Monday’s $200,000 Commentator Stakes for New York-breds, Diversify is likely headed back to open company in the Grade 2, $700,000 Suburban Stakes here on July 7.

The Suburban is run at 1 1/4 miles, the distance at which Diversify won the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup last fall.

Diversify bounced back from a last-place finish in the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic with his gritty victory in the Commentator, overcoming a stumble at the start and coming from off the pace to win. He typically races on the lead.

“It’s nice to have him back,” trainer Rick Violette said. “As much as we knew he kind of pulled himself up [at Charles Town], he needed to prove the other day that it wasn’t anything else.”

Diversify earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure for the Commentator, his eighth win from 13 lifetime starts.